Life is Precious

I had lots of time this week to think about life, how we live it and how we leave it. I was privileged enough to see a man in his last stages of life this weekend. (I know, some people get freaked out about talking about death or seeing death, but it is a natural part of the life cycle!) I had the honor to be there with him for awhile and just sit with him and hold his hand. I did not know him to well so I did not have much to talk with him about. Instead, I used the powerful sense of touch. People need to be touched at any phase in their life, but it seems they need more touch as infants and at the other end of the life cycle.

I have been able to do this for quite a few patients over the last 15 years. It still amazes me that just touching them, rubbing their feet, massaging their hands, caressing their heads, etc. It may seem strange to do this for people, but you would be amazed at how much anxiety and pain this relieves. I used to do this for my babies and still will do it for my kids if they are having nightmares, tough times, or just need an extra hug. I also have to say that I also like being on the receiving end of it! It was great to come home on Sunday and have my eldest son massage my shoulders for no reason. It nearly brought me to tears ( must be hormones!).

This sweet man did pass away with no one at his side ( I was unable to stay as I had other patients to visit and I am not sure where his family was). It made me sad to think that he had to make that journey all alone. I hope to be there for my parents when there time comes ( which better be years and years away!!!) as well as I hope my children (who will be grown by then) will be willing to be with me when my time comes.

Which leads me to say, take the time now to enjoy the precious things and simple things in life. Enjoy being with your family, kids, whomever may be in your life. Enjoy the outdoors (soon here for us AZ people where it is still 100 degrees).
Just enjoy being:)
And Yippee! General Conference is this weekend - another reason to just enjoy life!

New Moon Official Trailer #3 (HD)

Here it is! Cannot wait until November 20:)

New Moon

Just in case you forgot, I put the countdown to New Moon on the bottom of my blog! Cannot wait for November!!

Life

Life has just been crazy around here and it does not have anything to do with school starting or work. Sometimes we are given trials that bring us to our knees and makes us question why???
What I have learned from this recent trial is a renewal of my faith in our Heavenly Father and the things that we (and I) have not been doing very well as a family. It is all about going back to the basics that we have learned in primary - read your scriptures, say your prayers, do unto others as you want them to do to you, and prayer again with fasting. I have not fasted in years due to either being pregnant or nursing. But I honestly have not had that excuse for 3 years. It was a definite renewal of faith to fast with a purpose.
It is so easy to get caught up in the cares of the worlds, the panic of the times, Satan's temptations, and listening to that voice that tells you that you are not worth it. Why does it seem so easy to teach my children these lessons but not follow them myself? Do I think that I am any less valuable than they are? At times, yes but then I pull myself back up and realize that little eyes are watching and learning from the example I set. My daughter, who is 4, is sitting on my lap watching me type and wants to know when I am going to send this letter to her best friend:)
Life marches on and we (I) need to realize that we can pull through anything with the love of our Saviour and getting back to the basics of what I have been taught by my goodly parents. Whew, now I feel a nap coming on!!!

Pictures from Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Brandon and I rode to the top of this mountain on horseback. 4 hour ride and a very sore butt!
All the grandchildren on the Fowkes side. In order by height but not necessarily by age.
The whole Fowkes clan (minus Rich who could not get off work). This was taken right after we went to church in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
The very nice condo (timeshare) that my family got to stay in.
The group who actually made the hike to the top of chimney rock. I was not about to carry Camryn the whole way up there!
My boys who made it to the top of Chimney Rock.
Chimney Rock, Colorado.
My son, Brandon, and his cousin Patrick. Could they look anymore enthusiastic??
Dylan at the all you can eat cookout at Astraddle a Saddle. He was one happy boy!
The wagon we rode up in to the cook out.
My dad, Aunt Kim, my son Colton and Patrick on the wagon.
Building a house for their roly poly they caught (this is right outside our back door).
Camryn showing off her roly poly bug.
Brandon and Darin trying to teach Uncle Gerald the finer points of throwing a baseball (like not throwing it to the ground in front of the player:))
Colton and his 2 cousins having fun.
The cool bed that pulled out of the wall to sleep on each night. There was one in each of the condos we had.
The geese that came every night after the golf course was watered. They could have cared less about the golfers that came thru. This was right outside our back door. What a great trip we had!!